Cosmetic applicator

ABSTRACT

A makeup applicator is provided for automatically applying makeup to a face located in an application zone, and includes computer memory; a scanning device positioned to obtain facial-structure, facial-position, and facial-tone information from the zone; a carriage; carriage actuators for moving the carriage laterally and transversely adjacent the zone; a cosmetic airbrush unit coupled to and movable with the carriage; and a processor in data communication with the memory, the scanning device, and the carriage actuators. The cosmetic airbrush unit has an output nozzle, a supply passage for supplying makeup from a cosmetic reservoir to the output nozzle, and a valve selectively allowing the makeup to flow through the supply passage and the output nozzle. Programming causes the carriage actuators to move the carriage, and the airbrush unit valve to allow the makeup to flow through the supply passage and the output nozzle, applying the makeup to the human face.

BACKGROUND

Products containing color pigments that are intended to alter a wearer'sappearance when applied to the skin are commonly referred to as makeup.Makeup that is meant to be used on the face is traditionally appliedwith a brush, a sponge, or fingertips. Properly applying makeup to theskin can be a lengthy process that requires training and experience, andmany people feel that they are unable to properly apply makeup tothemselves. Accordingly, various schools offer programs in cosmetologyor makeup artistry. Yet some people may not want to visit acosmetologist on a regular (e.g., daily) basis, due for example to costand time constraints. And cosmetologists may not always be readilyavailable.

Embodiments of the current invention relate generally to makeupapplicators and methods of applying makeup.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify critical elements of the invention or to delineatethe scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some conceptsof the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented elsewhere.

According to one embodiment, a system is provided for automaticallyapplying makeup to a human face located in an application zone. Themakeup applicator includes a non-transitory computer memory; a scanningdevice positioned to obtain facial-structure information,facial-position information, and facial-tone information from theapplication zone; a carriage; carriage actuators for moving the carriagelaterally and transversely adjacent the application zone; a cosmeticairbrush unit coupled to and movable with the carriage; and a processorin data communication with the computer memory, the scanning device, andthe carriage actuators. The cosmetic airbrush unit has an output nozzle,a supply passage for supplying makeup from a cosmetic reservoir to theoutput nozzle, and a valve selectively allowing the makeup to flowthrough the supply passage and the output nozzle. The valve is in datacommunication with the processor. Programming causes: (a) the scanningdevice to obtain the facial-structure information, the facial-positioninformation, and the facial-tone information; (b) the computer memory tostore the obtained facial-structure information, the obtainedfacial-position information, and the obtained facial-tone information;(c) the carriage actuators to selectively move the carriage; and (d) theairbrush unit valve to selectively allow the makeup to flow through thesupply passage and the output nozzle, whereby applying the makeup to thehuman face.

According to another embodiment, a system is provided for automaticallyapplying makeup to a human face located in an application zone. Themakeup applicator includes a non-transitory computer memory; a scanningdevice positioned to obtain facial-structure information andfacial-position information from the application zone; a carriage;carriage actuators for moving the carriage laterally and transverselyadjacent the application zone; a cosmetic airbrush unit coupled to andmovable with the carriage; and a processor in data communication withthe computer memory, the scanning device, and the carriage actuators.The cosmetic airbrush unit has an output nozzle, a supply passage forsupplying makeup from a cosmetic reservoir to the output nozzle, and avalve selectively allowing the makeup to flow through the supply passageand the output nozzle. The valve is in data communication with theprocessor. Programming causes: (a) the scanning device to obtain thefacial-structure information and the facial-position information; (b)the computer memory to store the obtained facial-structure informationand the obtained facial-position information; (c) the carriage actuatorsto selectively move the carriage; and (d) the airbrush unit valve toselectively allow the makeup to flow through the supply passage and theoutput nozzle, whereby applying the makeup to the human face.

According to still another embodiment, a system is provided forautomatically applying makeup to a human face located in an applicationzone. The makeup applicator includes a non-transitory computer memory; ascanning device positioned to obtain facial-structure information,facial-position information, and facial-tone information from theapplication zone; a carriage; carriage actuators for moving the carriagelaterally and transversely adjacent the application zone; a cosmeticairbrush unit coupled to and movable with the carriage; and a processorin data communication with the computer memory, the scanning device, andthe carriage actuators. The cosmetic airbrush unit has first and secondoutput nozzles, a first supply passage for supplying first makeup from afirst cosmetic reservoir to the first output nozzle, a first valveselectively allowing the first makeup to flow through the first supplypassage and the first output nozzle, a second supply passage forsupplying second makeup from a second cosmetic reservoir to the secondoutput nozzle, and a second valve selectively allowing the second makeupto flow through the second supply passage and the second output nozzle.The first valve is in data communication with the processor, and thesecond valve is in data communication with the processor. Programmingcauses: (a) the scanning device to obtain the facial-structureinformation, the facial-position information, and the facial-toneinformation; (b) the computer memory to store the obtainedfacial-structure information, the obtained facial-position information,and the obtained facial-tone information; (c) the carriage actuators toselectively move the carriage; (d) the first valve to selectively allowthe first makeup to flow through the first supply passage and the firstoutput nozzle, whereby applying the first makeup to the human face; and(e) the second valve to selectively allow the second makeup to flowthrough the second supply passage and the second output nozzle, wherebyapplying the second makeup to the human face.

According to yet another embodiment, a system is provided forautomatically applying makeup to a human face located in an applicationzone. The makeup applicator includes a first cosmetic reservoir housingfirst makeup; a second cosmetic reservoir housing second makeup; amixing reservoir in communication with the first and second reservoirs;a non-transitory computer memory; a scanning device positioned to obtainfacial-structure information, facial-position information, andfacial-tone information from the application zone; a carriage; carriageactuators for moving the carriage laterally and transversely adjacentthe application zone; a cosmetic airbrush unit coupled to and movablewith the carriage; and a processor in data communication with thecomputer memory, the scanning device, the carriage actuators. The mixingreservoir selectively receives the first makeup and the second makeupfrom the first and second reservoirs, whereby creating a third makeup.The cosmetic airbrush unit has a first output nozzle, a first supplypassage for supplying the first makeup from the first reservoir to thefirst output nozzle, a first valve selectively allowing the first makeupto flow through the first supply passage and the first output nozzle, asecond output nozzle, a second supply passage for supplying the secondmakeup from the second reservoir to the second output nozzle, a secondvalve selectively allowing the second makeup to flow through the secondsupply passage and the second output nozzle, a third output nozzle, athird supply passage for supplying the third makeup from the mixingreservoir to the third output nozzle, and a third valve selectivelyallowing the third makeup to flow through the third supply passage andthe third output nozzle. The first valve is in data communication withthe processor, the second valve is in data communication with theprocessor, and the third valve is in data communication with theprocessor. Programming causes: (a) the scanning device to obtain thefacial-structure information, the facial-position information, and thefacial-tone information; (b) the computer memory to store the obtainedfacial-structure information, the obtained facial-position information,and the obtained facial-tone information; (c) the carriage actuators toselectively move the carriage; (d) the first valve to selectively allowthe first makeup to flow through the first supply passage and the firstoutput nozzle, whereby applying the first makeup to the human face; (e)the second valve to selectively allow the second makeup to flow throughthe second supply passage and the second output nozzle, whereby applyingthe second makeup to the human face; and (f) programming causing thethird valve to selectively allow the third makeup to flow through thethird supply passage and the third output nozzle, whereby applying thethird makeup to the human face.

According to still yet another embodiment, a system is provided forautomatically applying a cosmetic product to a human face located in anapplication zone. The cosmetic applicator includes a non-transitorycomputer memory; a scanning device positioned to obtain facial-structureinformation, facial-position information, and facial-tone informationfrom the application zone; a carriage; carriage actuators for moving thecarriage laterally and transversely adjacent the application zone; acosmetic unit coupled to and movable with the carriage to apply thecosmetic product to the face; and a processor in data communication withthe computer memory, the scanning device, and the carriage actuators.Programming causes: (a) the scanning device to obtain thefacial-structure information, the facial-position information, and thefacial-tone information; (b) the computer memory to store the obtainedfacial-structure information, the obtained facial-position information,and the obtained facial-tone information; and (c) the carriage actuatorsto selectively move the carriage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a makeup applicator according to anembodiment of the current invention, shown with a user.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the makeup applicator of FIG. 1,shown with a user but with various structure removed for illustration.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating aspects of the makeup applicatorof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating other aspects of the makeupapplicator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating still other aspects of the makeupapplicator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating various steps performed by the makeupapplicator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart further illustrating various steps performed bythe makeup applicator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a facial map illustrating example contour and highlightingmapped to the face by the makeup applicator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating aspects of a makeup applicatoraccording to another embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating other aspects of the makeupapplicator of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating still other aspects of themakeup applicator of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating various steps performed by themakeup applicator of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 illustrates alternate carriage actuators according to anembodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternate cosmetic unit that may be used inembodiments of the current invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 8 illustrate a cosmetic applicator, and morespecifically a system for automatically applying cosmetic (e.g., makeupor moisturizer) 20 to a human face 10 located in an application zone 5,according to an embodiment 100 of the current invention. The makeupapplicator 100 includes non-transitory computer memory 110, a processor120, a scanning device 130, an input 140, a carriage 150, carriageactuators 160, a cosmetic unit 170, and various programming as discussedbelow.

The computer memory 110 (FIG. 3) may include volatile and non-volatilememory, and any appropriate data storage devices whether now existing orlater developed may be used. Further, the computer memory 110 may be aunitary memory in one location, or may alternately be a distributedcomputer memory such that one portion of the computer memory isphysically separate from another portion of the non-transitory computermemory. In other words, discrete computer memory devices may be linkedtogether (e.g., over a network) and collectively form the computermemory 110. While this document shall often refer to elements in thesingular, those skilled in the art will appreciate that multiple suchelements may often be employed and that the use of multiple suchelements which collectively perform as expressly or inherently disclosedis fully contemplated herein.

The processor 120 (FIG. 3) may be any appropriate device, whether nowexisting or later developed, which performs the operations specified bythe various programming used by the makeup applicator 100. The processor120 may be electronic circuitry located on a common chip or circuitboard, or may be a distributed processor such that one portion of theprocessor is physically separate from another portion of the processor.The processor 120 is in data communication with the computer memory 110,the scanner 130, the input 140, the output 145, the carriage actuators160, and the cosmetic unit 170.

The scanner 130 uses three-dimensional sensors 132 to captureinformation about the face 10, including facial-structure information1010 (which may include, for example, information regarding face shapeand contour of the eyes, nose, cheeks, jaw, chin, and skin) andfacial-position information 1050 (information regarding where the face10 is located, preferably in real time). Facial scanning and mapping isdisclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,066 to Marschner and U.S.Pat. No. 5,852,672 to Lu; the contents of each are incorporated hereinin their entirety by reference. The scanner 130 further includes theability to detect facial-tone information 1020, either through thesensors 132 or different sensors. Facial-tone information 1020 mayinclude, for example, information about the tint of the face 10 atvarious locations of the skin. FIGS. 1 and 2 show that multiple sensors132 may be positioned about the application zone 5, including on thecarriage 150.

The input 140 (FIG. 3) may be any input device (whether now existing orlater developed) allowing a person to input personal preferenceinformation 1030 for storage in the computer memory 110. For example,the input 140 may be a touchscreen, a keyboard, a computer mouse, amicrophone, or a barcode reader. Personal preference information 1030 isdiscussed in additional detail below.

The output 145 (FIG. 3) may be any appropriate output device (whethernow existing or later developed). For example, the output 145 may be oneor more of a visual display, an audible output, and a scent dispersingdevice. The output 145 may be used to entertain the user, to provideambiance, and to provide interaction with the processor 120. Forexample, the output 145 may provide visual/audible programming (eitherpreset or selectable), one or more scents, and instructions (e.g.,instructions to close eyes, reposition the user, et cetera).

The carriage 150 (FIG. 2) supports the cosmetic unit 170 and isselectively moved in three dimensions adjacent the application zone 5 bythe carriage actuators 160. In essence, the carriage 150 and thecarriage actuators 160, together with software and processing, equate toa computer numerical control (“CNC”) system. One prior art CNC system isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,218,639 to Bulle, the contents of which areincorporated herein in their entirety by reference. Like in Bulle, theactuators 160 allow movement in x, y, and z directions.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the carriage actuators 160 may include adrive mechanism 161 and rail 162 system which allows lateral travel, adrive mechanism 163 and rail 164 system which allows transverse (in thedepicted orientation, vertical) travel, and a drive mechanism 165 andrail 166 system which allows further transverse (in the depictedorientation, front/back) travel. Drive mechanisms providing travel alongrails in CNC systems are disclosed, for example, in Bulle. The carriageactuators 160 may further include a rotating member 167, which mayrotate about a single axis or in multiple dimensions (such as through aball-and-socket joint). In other embodiments, the carriage actuators 160may include a set of curved rails 162′ (FIG. 13) which allow lateral andfront/back travel and another set of rails 164′ which allow verticaltravel. In such embodiments, the cosmetic unit 170 may be properlyangled as the carriage 150 travels along the curved rails 162′, and arotating member such as 167 may be unnecessary or may rotate a morelimited amount. An in still other embodiments, the carriage actuators160 may include a robotic arm movable in at least lateral and transversedirections adjacent the application zone 5. One such robotic arm whichmay be utilized in the current invention is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.8,694,160 to Yasue, the contents of which are incorporated herein intheir entirety by reference.

The cosmetic unit 170 is coupled to and movable with the carriage 150,as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 5, the cosmetic unit 170 mayinclude a cosmetic airbrush 171 having an output nozzle 172, a supplypassage 174 for supplying the makeup 20 from a cosmetic reservoir 180 tothe output nozzle 172, and a valve 175 selectively allowing the makeup20 to flow through the supply passage 174 and the output nozzle 172. Thevalve 175 is in data communication with the processor 120. In someembodiments, the cosmetic reservoir 180 is separate from the carriage150 and the supply passage 174 includes tubing extending to the cosmeticreservoir 180. In other embodiments, the cosmetic reservoir 180 issupported by the carriage 150 and may even be formed as part of thecosmetic unit 170. Example cosmetic airbrushes 171 are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 9,061,295 to Fedorov, U.S. Pat. No. 8,757,516 to Spiegel, andU.S. Pat. No. 4,742,963 to Marvaldi; the contents of each areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

A pressurized-air source 190, such as an air tank housing compressed airor a compressor for compressing air, is in communication with thecosmetic airbrush 171 (e.g., through tubing 194), as shown in FIG. 5.And another valve 195 in data communication with the processor 120controls passage of the pressurized air. The makeup 20 is dispensed fromthe output nozzle 172 when both the pressurized air and the makeup 20are supplied through the valves 175, 195. Fedorov further discusses theflow of makeup and pressurized air.

Returning now to FIG. 3, the computer memory 110 has various files andsubfiles for containing programming and data. A user profile file 1000,a scanner software file 1100, a cosmetic database 1200, and a customsession file 1300 are illustrated. The cosmetic database 1200 includesmakeup composition information 1210 (e.g., makeup identificationinformation, makeup color information, et cetera) and baseline makeupapplication information 1220 (e.g., baseline routines for applyingmakeup to different face shapes; to different contours of the eyes,nose, cheeks, jaw, chin, and skin; to different skin tones; to obtaindifferent makeup styles; et cetera). Programming, for example in thescanner software file 1100, causes the scanning device 130 to obtain thefacial-structure information 1010 and the facial-tone information 1020,and to repeatedly obtain the facial-position information 1050(preferably in real time), and causes the obtained information 1010,1020, 1050 to be stored (e.g., in the user profile file 1000). Otherprogramming (e.g., in the user profile file 1000) allows personalpreferences 1030 to be obtained through the input 140 and stored. Thepersonal preferences 1030 may include, for example, desired makeup styleinformation, desired color palette information, available makeup, etcetera. And still other programming causes the processor 120 to createthe custom session file 1300 based on data from the facial-structureinformation 1010, the facial-tone information 1020, the user preferencefile 1030, and the baseline makeup application information 1220. Andusing the custom session file 1300 and the then-current facial positioninformation 1050, the processor 120 causes the carriage actuators 160 toselectively move the carriage in a defined manner and causes the valves175, 195 to selectively allow the makeup 20 to flow through the supplypassage 174 and the output nozzle 172 to apply the makeup 20 to the face10.

The following description is an example of the makeup applicator 100 inuse according to an embodiment. At step S100 at method S10, theprocessor 120 obtains user preference information 1030 via the input 140and stores the user preference information 1030 in the computer memory110. And at steps S110, S120, and S130, the processor 120 obtainsfacial-position information 150, facial structure information 1010, andfacial-tone information 1020 via the scanner 130 and stores thefacial-position information 150, the facial structure information 1010,and the facial-tone information 1020 in the memory 110. At step S140,the processor 120 creates custom session file 1300 based on data fromthe facial-structure information 1010, the facial-tone information 1020,the user preference file 1030, and the baseline makeup applicationinformation 1220. Step S140 is explained in additional detail below withreference to FIG. 7.

After step S140, the processor 120 at step S150 obtains updatedfacial-position information 1050 via the scanner 130 and stores theupdated facial-position information 1050 in the computer memory 110. Andat steps S160 and S170, the processor 120 causes the carriage actuators160 to move the carriage 150 in accordance with the custom session file1300 and the facial-position information 1050, and causes the valves175, 195 to selectively allow the makeup 20 to flow through the supplypassage 174 and the output nozzle 172 to apply the makeup 20 to the face10. After steps S160 and S170, the processor 120 determines at S180 ifthe custom session file 1300 has been fully executed for the particularmakeup 20. If not, the process returns to step S150; if so, the processS10 ends at step S190.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 7, where step S140 is furtherillustrated. As an example, the facial-structure information 1010indicates that the face 10 has an oval facial structure and a particularcontour of the eyes, nose, cheeks, jaw, chin, and skin; the skin-toneinformation 1020 indicates a warm skin tone; and the user preferencefile 1030 indicates that highlighting and contouring is desired in aparticular palette, and that particular contouring makeup 20 isavailable for selection or already in the cosmetic reservoir 180. Atstep S141, the processor 120 accesses the skin-tone information 1020,the user preference file 1030, and the makeup color information 1210,and look-up tables or logic causes the processor 120 to either confirmthat the available shade of contour (makeup 20) is appropriate orsuggest an available shade based on the warm skin tone, the desiredpalette, and the makeup properties. At step S142, the processor 120accesses the facial-structure information 1010 and the baseline makeupapplication information 1220, and look-up tables or logic causes theprocessor 120 to determine that the contour (makeup 20) should beapplied to certain facial areas based on the oval face shape and thecontour of the eyes, nose, cheeks, jaw, chin, and skin. At step S143,the processor maps the facial areas determined in step S142 onto thespecific facial structure of the face 10; an example mapping isillustrated in FIG. 8, showing contour makeup 20 a and highlightingmakeup 20 c mapped to the face 10. In some embodiments, a virtualreality output (e.g., through a projector output 145 projecting an imageof the mapped makeup 20 on the user's face 10, or through a displayscreen output 145 showing an image of the user's face 10 with the mappedmakeup 20) may be used to allow the user to verify (through the input140) the proposed makeup application. And at step S144, the processorcreates an instruction file for controlling the carriage actuators 160and the valves 175, 195 to achieve the specific layout of the makeup 20mapped onto the face 10 in step S143. The instruction file created instep S144 may be keyed to a particular facial position. Thus, as thefacial-position information 1050 indicates that the facial position haschanged, the processor 120 may adjust the actual operation of thecarriage actuators 160 and the valves 175, 195 accordingly in stepsS160, S170.

FIGS. 9 through 12 illustrate another makeup applicator 200 that issubstantially similar to the embodiment 100, except as specificallynoted and/or shown, or as would be inherent. Further, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that the embodiment 100 (and thus the embodiment200) may be modified in various ways, such as through incorporating allor part of any of the various described embodiments, for example. Foruniformity and brevity, reference numbers from 200 to 299 may be used toindicate elements corresponding to those discussed above numbered from100 to 199 (e.g., computer memory 210 corresponds generally to thecomputer memory 110, processor 220 corresponds generally to theprocessor 120, scanner 230 corresponds generally to the scanner 130,output 245 corresponds generally to the output 145, carriage actuators260 correspond generally to the carriage actuators 160, et cetera),though with any noted, shown, or inherent deviations. And referencenumbers 2000 to 2999 may be used to indicate elements corresponding tothose discussed above numbered from 1000 to 1999 (e.g., user profilefile 2000 corresponds generally to the user profile file 1000,facial-structure information 2010 corresponds generally to thefacial-structure information 1010, skin-tone information 2020corresponds generally to the skin-tone information 1020, user preferencefile 2030 corresponds generally to the user preference file 1030,facial-position information 2050 corresponds generally to thefacial-position information 1050, scanner software file 2100 correspondsgenerally to the scanner software file 1100, the cosmetic database 2200corresponds generally to the cosmetic database 1200, makeup compositioninformation 2210 corresponds generally to the makeup compositioninformation 1210, baseline makeup application information 2220corresponds generally to the baseline makeup application information1220, custom session file 2300 corresponds generally to the customsession file 1300), though with any noted, shown, or inherentdeviations.

In embodiment 200, the cosmetic unit 270 accesses multiple cosmeticreservoirs 280 (e.g., 280 a, 280 b, 280 c, 280 d), with each containinga different makeup 20 (e.g., a first contour makeup may be in thereservoir 280 a, a second contour makeup may be in the reservoir 280 b,a first highlighting makeup may be in the reservoir 280 c, and a secondhighlighting makeup may be in the reservoir 280 d). The cosmetic unit270 may additionally access a mixing reservoir 281, which is describedfurther below. In the embodiment 200, cosmetic airbrush 271 has multipleoutput nozzles 272. FIG. 10 shows that an output nozzle 272 may beassociated with each reservoir 280, 281 (e.g., through a respectivesupply passage 274 and valve 275 in data communication with theprocessor 220). While FIG. 10 shows a single pressurized-air source 290connected through tubing 294 a, 294 b, 294 c, 294 d, 294 e, multiplepressurized-air sources 290 may instead be used.

The mixing reservoir 281 may be initially empty of makeup 20, but may bein communication with multiple cosmetic reservoirs 280 (e.g., throughpassages 284 and valves 285 as shown in FIG. 11). In some embodiments,the mixing reservoir 281 is below the cosmetic reservoirs 280 to allowmakeup 20 to be gravity fed from the cosmetic reservoirs 280 into themixing reservoir 281 when permitted by the valves 285. The valves 285are in data communication with the processor 220, and sensors 286 (e.g.,flow sensors, weight sensors, et cetera) may further be in communicationwith the processor 220 for determining how much makeup 20 passes fromthe cosmetic reservoirs 280 to the mixing reservoir 281.

Use of the makeup applicator 200 differs from use of the makeupapplicator 100 in two main ways. First, the makeup applicator 200 maycreate custom makeup 20 by mixing together different makeup 20 in themixing reservoir 281. Second, the makeup applicator 200 has multipleoutput nozzles 272 and may spray multiple types of makeup 20, sometimessimultaneously. Process S20 in FIG. 12 corresponds generally to theprocess S10 discussed above and shown in FIG. 6, and for uniformity andbrevity, reference numbers from S200 to S299 may be used to indicatesteps corresponding to those discussed above numbered from S100 to S199(e.g., steps S100, S110, S120, S130, S140, S150, S160, S170, S180, S190correspond generally to steps S200, S210, S220, S230, S240, S250, S260,S270, S280, S290), though with any noted, shown, or inherent deviations.Especially with multiple types of makeup 20 being used in the makeupapplicator 200, it may be important to correctly, quickly, and easilyidentify the types of makeup 20 available and the specific locations ofthe makeup 20 (i.e., which makeup 20 is in which cosmetic reservoir280). To this end, it may be particularly useful for the different typesof makeup 20 to be associated with unique identifiers (e.g., bar codes),and for the input 240 to include one or more sensors (e.g., bar codescanners). Thus, the user preference information 2030 obtained at stepS200 may include makeup identity and location information for at leasttwo types of makeup 20, obtained by the processor 220 via a sensor ofthe input 240.

In the process S20, at step S240, the processor 220 further createsmixing information in the custom session file 2300 based on the userpreference information 2030 and the makeup composition information 2210.At step S241, the processor 220 causes the valves 285 a, 285 b to passmakeup 20 a, 20 b from the cosmetic reservoirs 280 a, 280 b to themixing reservoir 281 to create makeup 20 e, based on the custom sessionfile 2300 created at step S240 and data from the sensors 286 a, 286 b.And at step S270, to apply makeup 20 to the face 10, the processor 220causes the valves 275 a, 295 a to selectively allow makeup 20 a to flowthrough the supply passage 274 a and the output nozzle 272 a, the valves275 b, 295 b to selectively allow makeup 20 b to flow through the supplypassage 274 b and the output nozzle 272 b, the valves 275 c, 295 c toselectively allow makeup 20 c to flow through the supply passage 274 cand the output nozzle 272 c, the valves 275 d, 295 d to selectivelyallow makeup 20 d to flow through the supply passage 274 d and theoutput nozzle 272 d, and the valves 275 e, 295 e to selectively allowmakeup 20 e to flow through the supply passage 274 e and the outputnozzle 272 e, all in accordance with the custom session file 2300 andthe facial-position information 2050. For a period of time, theprocessor 220 may cause makeup 20 to be sprayed through multiple nozzles272 simultaneously.

FIG. 14 illustrates another cosmetic unit 370 that may be used inembodiments of the current invention. For uniformity and brevity,reference numbers from 300 to 399 may be used to indicate elementscorresponding to those discussed above numbered from 200 to 299 (e.g.,cosmetic airbrush 371 corresponds generally to the cosmetic airbrush271). The cosmetic unit 370 differs from the cosmetic unit 270 in twomain ways: the cosmetic unit 370 has a blotter 376 a, a brush 376 b, awashing device 376 c (e.g., washing cloth or pad, cleanser sprayer, etcetera), a gas applicator 376 d (e.g., gas or aerosol sprayer, etcetera), and a tattoo gun 376 e. In embodiments having the blotter 376a, the brush 376 b, the washing device 376 c, the gas applicator 376 d,and/or the tattoo gun 376 e, part of the custom session file 1300/2300may include instructions for how to move and actuate those elements.

Some embodiments may further include an ionizing device to provide anegative charge to the user (and thus the face 10), and utilize acosmetic product 20 having a positive charge. This may result inimproved absorption of the cosmetic product 20. The ionizing device mayinclude a mat that the user sits upon or rests her feet upon, a handlethat the user holds, et cetera.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as wellas components not shown, are possible without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present inventionhave been described with the intent to be illustrative rather thanrestrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisanmay develop alternative means of implementing the aforementionedimprovements without departing from the scope of the present invention.It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Thespecific configurations and contours set forth in the accompanyingdrawings are illustrative and not limiting. Some steps may be performedin different orders than described herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for automatically applying makeupto a human face located in an application zone, comprising: a firstcosmetic reservoir housing first makeup; a second cosmetic reservoirhousing second makeup; a mixing reservoir in communication with thefirst and second reservoirs; the mixing reservoir selectively receivingthe first makeup and the second makeup from the first and secondreservoirs, thereby creating a third makeup; a non-transitory computermemory; a processor in data communication with the computer memory; ascanning device positioned to obtain facial-structure information,facial-position information, and facial-tone information from theapplication zone; the scanning device being in data communication withthe processor; a carriage; carriage actuators for moving the carriagelaterally and transversely adjacent the application zone, the carriageactuators being in data communication with the processor; a cosmeticairbrush unit coupled to and movable with the carriage; the cosmeticairbrush unit comprising a first output nozzle, a first supply passagefor supplying the first makeup from the first reservoir to the firstoutput nozzle, a first valve selectively allowing the first makeup toflow through the first supply passage and the first output nozzle, asecond output nozzle, a second supply passage for supplying the secondmakeup from the second reservoir to the second output nozzle, a secondvalve selectively allowing the second makeup to flow through the secondsupply passage and the second output nozzle, a third output nozzle, athird supply passage for supplying the third makeup from the mixingreservoir to the third output nozzle, a third valve selectively allowingthe third makeup to flow through the third supply passage and the thirdoutput nozzle; the first valve being in data communication with theprocessor; the second valve being in data communication with theprocessor; the third valve being in data communication with theprocessor; programming causing the scanning device to obtain thefacial-structure information, the facial-position information, and thefacial-tone information; programming causing the computer memory tostore the obtained facial-structure information, the obtainedfacial-position information, and the obtained facial-tone information;programming causing the carriage actuators to selectively move thecarriage; programming causing the first valve to selectively allow thefirst makeup to flow through the first supply passage and the firstoutput nozzle, thereby applying the first makeup to the human face;programming causing the second valve to selectively allow the secondmakeup to flow through the second supply passage and the second outputnozzle, thereby applying the second makeup to the human face; andprogramming causing the third valve to selectively allow the thirdmakeup to flow through the third supply passage and the third outputnozzle, thereby applying the third makeup to the human face.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising at least one item selected fromthe group consisting of an air tank and a compressor, the at least oneitem providing pressurized air to the cosmetic airbrush unit.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising: programming causing the scanningdevice to repeatedly obtain updated facial-position information; andprogramming causing the computer memory to store the updatedfacial-position information.
 4. The system of claim 3, furthercomprising: a user preference file accessible by the processor; acosmetic database accessible by the processor, the cosmetic databasehaving baseline makeup application information; programming causing theprocessor to create a custom session file based on data from each of:(a) the obtained facial-structure information; (b) the obtainedfacial-tone information; (c) the user preference file; and (d) thebaseline makeup application information; wherein the programming causingthe carriage actuators to selectively move the carriage, the programmingcausing the first valve to selectively allow the first makeup to flowthrough the first supply passage and the first output nozzle, and theprogramming causing the second valve to selectively allow the secondmakeup to flow through the second supply passage and the second outputnozzle utilize the custom session file and the updated facial-positioninformation.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least onesensor for determining the identity of the first makeup and the identityof the second makeup.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least onesensor is a barcode reader.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein, for aperiod of time, the programming causing the second valve to selectivelyallow the second makeup to flow through the second supply passage andthe second output nozzle causes the second makeup to flow through thesecond output nozzle simultaneously with the first makeup flowingthrough the first output nozzle.